Morning arrived, but Subhadra remained curled up in bed, drowsy and reluctant to wake up.

A gentle knock came from her door.

"Rajkumari, may I enter?" her maid called softly.

Subhadra stirred slightly, still half-asleep. She rubbed her eyes and groggily responded, "No need… I’ll get ready by myself today."

The maid hesitated but eventually nodded and left.

Subhadra sighed, shifting in bed—until her eyes snapped open.

Her experiment!

Excitement rushed through her as she threw off the blankets and ran toward her snanagrah.

She stepped inside, heart pounding with anticipation.

This was it!

She quickly began scrubbing off the dried charcoal paste from her skin, eager to see the results.

The blackened mixture washed away under the water, revealing her skin underneath.

And then—

She froze.

Her eyes widened.

No…

This wasn’t what she wanted.

Instead of darkening, her skin had turned brighter!

A choked sound escaped her lips as she frantically rubbed her arms, trying to see if she had missed a spot.

But no.

Her skin, which she had hoped would match Krishna’s, now appeared even brighter than before.

Her breath hitched.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly wiped them away.

Everything she did last night—her hard work, her excitement, her hopes—had all been for nothing.

She sniffled, biting her lip to stop herself from crying any louder.

For a brief moment, she let the sadness consume her.

Then, taking a deep breath, she forced herself to move on.

She couldn’t let anyone see her like this.

She reluctantly finished her bath, dressed herself, and stepped out of her chambers.

*****

The palace was still bustling, but many of her family members were occupied with their duties.

When she arrived for breakfast, only a few of her bhabhis were present.

She smiled at them and quietly sat down, taking small bites of her meal.

She thought no one would notice.

But then—

"Your skin seems brighter today, Gudiya."

The voice was warm, affectionate. It was Satyabhama bhabhi.

"You look so beautiful."

Subhadra’s fingers stiffened around her spoon.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep smiling.

She had always loved receiving compliments from her bhabhis, especially Satyabhama, who was one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom.

But right now, those words felt like a knife to her heart.

She couldn’t cry.

She wouldn’t cry.

She pressed her lips together, struggling to keep them from trembling.

Then, she took a deep breath, lifted her head, and replied with a forced smile, "Thank you, Bhabhi."

Satyabhama smiled back, unaware of the storm in Subhadra’s heart.

Little Subhadra quickly asked permission to leave, and no one questioned it.

She walked away, her posture straight, her steps steady.

But inside, she felt like crumbling.

*****

After leaving the palace, Subhadra asked her father for permission to go play at the beach.

He granted it without hesitation.

The moment she reached the shore, she turned to her maids and guards and instructed them to stay far away.

They hesitated but eventually obeyed.

Now alone, Subhadra wandered along the sand, letting the waves brush against her feet.

She picked up small seashells, letting them slip through her fingers.

She ran along the shoreline, feeling the cool water splash against her legs.

She built small castles out of sand, only to watch them crumble under the waves.

She did everything she could to distract herself.

Spending time at the beach below the bright sun usually darken people skin, but not with her.

She hate that, the fact that it's hard for her to look like Krishna.

She tried her best to forget everything...

But in the end—

She surrendered to the sadness.

Her small frame trembled as she sat on the damp sand, pulling her knees to her chest.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore drowned out her quiet sobs.

The wind carried away the sound of her pain.

Here, on the empty beach, she finally allowed herself to cry.

Cry for her failure.

Cry for her insecurities.

Cry for the words that had lodged themselves deep into her heart.

No one could see her.

No one could hear her.

So, for now—just for now—she allowed herself to break.

*****

The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays shimmering over the waves.

Subhadra sat on the shore, her face damp with dried tears.

She had cried for hours.

The heaviness in her chest remained, but she knew she couldn't stay here much longer.

If she did, her family would start worrying.

She exhaled shakily, wiping her face one last time before rising to her feet.

She turned toward the waiting maid and guards, walking toward them with a composed playful expression, as if she had simply been playing all this time.

On her way back to the palace, she passed through the marketplace, where vibrant stalls overflowed with fresh produce and colorful fabrics.

Her gaze landed on a pile of ripe mangoes.

She hesitated for a moment.

Mangoes… maybe eating mangoes will make me feel better…

She approached the stall, reaching for the fruit.

But before she could even hand over the payment, she heard the murmurs.

"Ah, look how bright and beautiful our Rajkumari Subhadra is!"

"She shines like the full moon!"

"Her skin is even brighter than before… truly a our princess!"

Subhadra’s fingers clenched around the mango.

The words should have made her happy.

They had made her happy once.

But now, every compliment felt like a sharp dagger to her heart.

She forced a smile, nodded politely, and walked away, biting into the mango with forced enthusiasm.

The sweetness of the fruit did nothing to lift her spirits.

*****

By the time she reached the palace, the heavy feeling in her chest had not subsided.

She turned to her maid.

"I'm full from eating mangoes. I won’t be eating today," she said.

The maid hesitated.

"But…"

"Don’t bring me food unless I tell you to. Remember that."

Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

The maid lowered her head and nodded.

Subhadra walked away, seeking a quiet place.

She found herself beneath a large tree, where the shade provided some comfort.

A small rabbit hopped toward her.

She extended her hand, stroking its soft fur.

But just as suddenly as it had come, the rabbit scurried away.

Subhadra let out a quiet sigh.

Even the rabbit…

She pulled her knees to her chest, gazing up at the bright sky.

The wind was soft and gentle.

On any other day, she would have felt sleepy under such perfect conditions.

Should she try to sleep?

Maybe if she slept, she wouldn’t feel it anymore.

Just as she was about to close her eyes—

Someone sat down beside her.

She stiffened slightly, turning her head.

It was none other than—

Krishna.

To be continued

Note : I cried so much writing this, is it just me being too emotional or are you guys feeling it too? Whatever it is hope you love it yea (●♡∀♡)